Canadian government launches matching program for crisis in Sahel region in Western Africa

The Canadian government is launching a matching program for donations made by Canadians to organizations from August 7 - September 30, 2012.  CIDA notes: “An estimated 18.7 million people in the Sahel region in West Africa are affected by a food and nutrition crisis due to drought, sporadic rains, poor harvests, soaring food prices and widespread displacement. As a result, more than 1 million children under the age of five are at risk of dying from severe acute malnutrition. Canada, through CIDA, is helping to meet vital humanitarian needs in the Sahel, and as part of its efforts, has created the Sahel Crisis Matching Fund.  For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities, Canada will set aside one dollar for the Sahel Crisis Matching Fund. CIDA will allocate these funds to established Canadian and international humanitarian organizations for humanitarian assistance efforts that benefit the people most affected by the crisis.”  Organizations that receive a donation will not receive directly a matching amount but those organizations will advise CIDA of the funds collected and then CIDA will have a process to determine which organizations receive the funds.  Organizations that are interested in potentially applying for those funds should review CIDA’s “Guidelines for Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Project Proposals and Reports”.